Asahikawa Splitboard Tour Overview
Join the Asahikawa Splitboard Tour for a week of storm chasing in Japan’s premiere backcountry location. Surrounded by mountains that see consistent storms and hold some of the driest snow on earth, Asahikawa delivers the terrain and conditions splitboarders dream about. This trip is capped at just six people, to make it an efficient, small-group experience where every day is about riding lines most visitors will never find.
Our guiding team brings deep local intel and years of Hokkaido experience. They’re on constant storm watch, making the call each morning so you’re always riding in the best possible conditions. Most days are spent touring from roadside locations, which open up a huge variety of terrain and fresh lines. Within 20 minutes to an hour are dozens of options: steep tree runs, open faces, pillows, gullies, wind lips, and big alpine zones. When it makes sense, we can use lifts to gain vertical before touring deeper into the backcountry. And then there’s Asahidake, the steaming stratovolcano accessed by cable car, delivering some of the most dramatic splitboard terrain in Japan.
After big days in the mountains, you’ll come back to the comfort of staying in your own Single Room in a 3-star hotel. It’s set up with everything riders need — boot dryer, drying room, and a wax/tune station — so your gear’s dry and ready for the next day. The hotel also has a tattoo-friendly onsen, the perfect wind-down routine after a day of touring and riding. Staying in Asahikawa means you’re in the middle of the real Japan, not a resort bubble. The city is packed with izakaya, ramen shops, and sushi trains, all within easy reach of your hotel.
DATES & PRICE
8 - 14 FEB – $3,990 / single room
Ability Level
Advanced
Group Size
Max 6 people — join solo or with your crew.
Terrain
Backcountry
Why Travel With Mint
When you book with Mint, you're traveling with a trusted and experienced operator backed by over 20 years of expertise. We’re a registered travel agent and a member of AFTA and IATA, operating under the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. Our licensed Japanese company ensures complete compliance with local regulations, giving you a safe, secure, and protected travel experience. On the ground, you'll be guided by our team of qualified local and international guides — who hold recognized qualifications, maintain current certifications, and undergo ongoing professional development.
Asahikawa Splitboard Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
Single Room Accommodation
No Shared Rooms. No Compromises. Every guest on this tour gets the comfort and convenience of their own private single room with ensuite at OMO7 Asahikawa, a quality 3-star hotel. No sharing, no compromises — just a dedicated space to unwind, organize your gear, and get a proper night’s sleep on your own terms. And this isn’t your average Japanese hotel. OMO7 is the only hotel in the city set up for snow, with everything you need: board and ski storage, boot dryers, a wax and tune station, and a tattoo-friendly onsen to soak in after riding.
Small Groups & Good Vibes
Riding in a small crew makes all the difference on a splitboard trip. With a maximum of six people, you won’t get caught in the stop-and-wait routine that slows bigger groups down. Instead, the pace stays efficient — skinning, transitioning, and riding more lines while the storm delivers. Keeping the group tight allows the group to really settle into a rhythm. We also make sure everyone is matched on ability, so every day runs smoothly.
Experience the Real Japan in Asahikawa
Asahikawa is a buzzing local city, not a tourist town—and that’s exactly why we base ourselves here. After riding, you’re back in a place with real energy: ramen joints packed with locals, hidden izakayas, and karaoke spots that stay open late. There’s nightlife if you want it, but it’s local, low-key, and way more authentic than any resort scene. From picking up a new pow shape at a local snowboard shop to late-night snack runs at 7-Eleven, Asahikawa hits different—and it’s a huge part of what makes this trip so memorable.
Snow & Conditions in Asahikawa
The season runs from late December through March, but January and February are the sweet spot—when Hokkaido’s famous cold temps deliver light, dry powder day after day. This isn’t heavy or wet—it’s that blower snow that just keeps stacking. Asahikawa gets hit by consistent storms all season long, so you can count on fresh snow and quality riding, with no second guessing. Cold? Yes. Worth it? Every time.
We've Got Your Back Before You Even Pack
Once you've booked, we’ll make sure everything’s lined up for a smooth ride. Keep an eye on your inbox — you’ll get a full pre-trip briefing with everything you need to know: detailed tour info, arrival and departure times, packing advice, and a few pro tips to help you get the most out of your time in Japan. Got questions? Our tour managers are always just a call or email away. And if you need help sorting the extras — like travel insurance, early arrivals, stopovers, or extra nights — we’re here to handle that too.
There’s a reason riders keep coming back to Asahikawa
There's a reason the pros consistently choose to ride and film in Asahikawa. It’s not just the deep snow or the endless terrain—it’s the full experience. From tree lines and roadside spots to lift-accessed zones that stay fresh for days, this place quietly delivers. And when the day’s done, you’re not stuck in a resort bubble—you’re in a proper Japanese city with good food and plenty to explore. It’s not loud, but it’s legit. And once you’ve been, you get why so many riders make it a regular stop.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Included
✔ 6 nights accommodation at OMO7 Asahikawa, Studio Room with ensuite (1 person per room)
✔ 5 days of backcountry guiding with qualified guides
✔ Lift tickets if required
✔ 5 days of private transfers to and from zones and resorts
✔ Fully-escorted tour, guide on hand throughout the tour
✔ Scheduled airport transfers from Asahikawa Airport to hotel (arrival and departure day)
✔ 6 buffet breakfasts
✔ 1 dinner (arrival night)
✔ Complimentary use of hotel onsen
✔ Complimentary use of fully stocked wax/tune station
✔ Pre tour support from Japan Tour Manager
Not Included
✘ Flights / travel to Asahikawa
✘ Splitboard equipment and avalanche safety equipment
✘ Travel insurance
✘ All lunches – expect to pay USD $6 – $10 per meal
✘ 5 dinners – expect to pay USD $15 – $35 per meal
✘ Onsen entry fee outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
✘ Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
Pricing and Dates
February 8 – 14, 2026
$3,990 USD (Single Room)
All guests stay in a private Single Room (one person per room) at OMO7 Asahikawa — your own space to relax and reset after riding. Traveling with a partner? Twin Rooms with two beds (twin share) are available on request. Just ask when booking.
Extend Your Trip & Save
Book back-to-back tours for the ultimate 2-week powder road trip and unlock exclusive discounts.
Book 2 tours – save $100
Book 3 tours – save $200
Extra Nights
If you’re flying in from North America or Europe, we recommend arriving a day early to rest and reset. Saturday night rate: approx. $110 USD (Single Studio Room with breakfast)
Ride Japan with a Tour Operator You Can Trust
When it comes to riding in Japan, who you book with matters. Mint Tours is a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of experience. We operate as a registered Japanese company, with strong local partnerships that ensure every tour meets the highest standards—so you can focus on the snow, not the logistics. We’re also a registered travel agent, a member of AFTA and IATA, and operate under the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
Know Who You’re Booking With
Not every operator in Japan follows the rules—but we do. Mint Tours is fully authorized to run guided tours across the regions we operate in. We’ve built our reputation on doing things properly—with the right permits, trusted local partners, and a focus on safety and experience. In a country with strict regulations around guiding, it pays to know who you’re booking with.
Travel Worry-Free
Our tours are led by experienced professionals—both local and international—who are authorized to guide in Japan. From storm tracking to terrain selection, everything is handled by a team that knows how to deliver a safe, seamless experience.
Real Credentials. Real Experience.
We know Japan. From deep resort days to quieter zones, we use local knowledge and decades of experience to find the best conditions. Our crew includes respected names in the snow world—guides who ride hard, know the terrain, and genuinely care about your trip.
Safety First, Always
Every day on snow starts with a detailed weather and snowpack assessment. Our terrain choices are backed by planning, not guesswork. Our backcountry guides hold current certifications with a focus on avalanche safety, emergency response, and ongoing professional development—ensuring every decision is backed by training and experience.
Full-Service Support
We don’t just run great tours—we make your whole trip easier. From pre-departure advice to help with stopovers and extra nights, we’re here to support you before, during, and after your tour. You get expert guidance from the moment you book to the moment you head home.
Day 1 – Sunday ‘Arrival Day’
Welcome to Hokkaido. Make your way to the meeting point at Asahikawa Airport, where your Mint guide will be waiting. From here, it’s a quick transfer into the city and check-in at your modern, city-center hotel — your base for the week.
Once you’ve unpacked and dialed in your splitboard setup, meet your guide and crew for a welcome session. We’ll run through the plan for the week, go over the snow forecast, check gear, and answer any questions. Then it’s time to head out for a casual group dinner and get to know the crew. Most guests are traveling solo, so it’s a relaxed and easy intro to the week ahead.
Tip: Flying in from North America or Europe? Arrive a day early to shake off the jet lag. We can help with extra nights.
Day 2 to 6 – Monday to Friday ‘On-Snow Guided Days’
Each day follows a similar format:
Mornings
Start your day with the hotel’s breakfast buffet, available early so you’ve got time to fuel up before heading out. Your guide will confirm the plan the night before. Load into the van and off to chase the best lines of the day. On the way out, we’ll stop at 7-Eleven to stock up on provisions for the day — sandwiches, onigiri, hot coffee, and snacks for lunch in the mountains. Once we reach the zone, your guide will run through a safety briefing and outline the plan for the day before heading out on the skin track.
On-Mountain
This is where the tour really shines. With deep local knowledge and years of experience in the region, your guide will lead you straight to the best lines. Every day is about making the most of the conditions. On storm days, that could mean lapping sheltered tree zones where the snow stacks up fast and the visibility stays good. When things open up, the focus shifts to bigger ascents and alpine descents — long runs with wide-open turns and views across Central Hokkaido. Some days we’ll tap into lift infrastructure to grab quick vertical before skinning further into the backcountry. The rhythm is simple: skin up, transition, ride, repeat. It’s steady and efficient, built around the group moving well together. The goal is always the same — to ride the best snow on the mountain that day, no matter where the storm has delivered.
Afternoons
After a big day on the mountain, the afternoons are all about recovery and soaking up the local vibe. Your guide will make plans based on time, weather, and how the group’s feeling. Some days include a stop at a local onsen — a classic Japanese hot spring experience. These aren’t just for relaxing — the mineral-rich, geothermal waters are the perfect way to ease tired legs, warm up, and reset for the next day. It’s a daily ritual you’ll start looking forward to as much as the riding itself. Then there are the small but essential stops: a sushi train for a quick refuel, or a visit to the legendary Japanese 7-Eleven. It’s not your average convenience store — it’s a wonderland of surprisingly great food, weird and wonderful snacks, and everything you didn’t know you needed. These off-snow moments round out the trip, giving you a proper taste of everyday life in Japan before heading back to the hotel to unwind.
Evenings
Back at the hotel, the evening is yours to unwind and take it all in. Start with a soak in the hotel’s tattoo-friendly onsen and sauna — the perfect way to recover and reset. Then head to the lobby bar, a laid-back spot where guests often regroup for a drink, before heading out for dinner Asahikawa comes alive after dark, and eating out is a big part of the experience. Your guide will organize a few group dinners throughout the week, each one offering a different take on local flavor — from hole-in-the-wall ramen joints to buzzing izakayas and sushi trains. With most spots just a short walk from the hotel, it’s easy to head out with the crew and get a true taste of Hokkaido’s food culture. This is where the trip shifts gears — from deep snow to deep local immersion.
Day 7 – Saturday ‘Departure Day’
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. After a big week chasing deep Japanese powder, it’s time to wrap things up. Your guide will handle the transfers and drop you at the airport or train station for your journey home. All good things must come to an end — but the memories (and the stoke) will stick with you long after you leave.
When you’re ready to book, you’ll be asked to self-assess whether this splitboard tour is a good match for your ability. We want you to have an unforgettable time, and being honest about your riding skills, pace, and fitness helps make sure you’re set up to get the most out of the trip—safely and confidently. Not sure if this tour’s the one? No stress—just reach out to our team. We’re always happy to chat and help steer you in the right direction.
Ability Requirements
This tour is designed for advanced splitboarders. To join, you should confidently say yes to the following:
✔ You regularly ride off-piste and in the backcountry
✔ You maintain moderate and steady pace on the skin track
✔ You’re comfortable in all snow conditions—powder, hardpack, crust, tracked
✔ You can safely navigate around hazards like trees, open creeks and tree wells.
Pace
We move at a steady, sustainable pace. The focus is on consistency, not speed.
Fitness
No need to be elite, but you’ll want good stamina. Expect five full and consecutive days on snow, often with limited downtime. Daily touring can range from multiple shorter roadside laps to longer backcountry objectives. You should be comfortable staying active all day and ready for uphill climbs to access the best terrain.
Are Lift Tickets Included?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour. Please note that none of the resorts that we visit on this tour are on the Ikon or Epic Pass.
What Are The Conditions Like in February?
February sees regular storms, however the weather is more settled which opens up more options for locations and terrain choices, including the volcano, Asahidake. Temperatures sit well below freezing and the snow stays in great condition, even days after a storm.
Do You Offer Longer Trips?
Yes! Many of our guests choose to combine tours for a longer, more immersive riding experience. One of the most popular options is our Hokkaido Powder Roadtrip—pair the Asahikawa Freeride Tour with the Otaru Freeride Tour for a 13-night adventure through Hokkaido’s best powder zones. Back-to-back trips mean double the terrain, more storm potential, and zero downtime between tours. Just let us know at the time of booking and we’ll help coordinate everything.
Who Are The Guides?
Your guide is rigorously trained in avalanche hazard mitigation, backcountry travel, and emergency medical response, and holds qualifications along with ongoing professional development and active certifications.
Budgeting For The Tour
An estimate of spending money for the week is around USD $350 – $450 to cover lunches, dinners, snacks and incidentals. Here’s an indication of what you can expect to pay for meals and activities:
- 6 x Lunches – expect to pay USD $10 – $15 per meal
- 5 x Dinners – expect to pay USD $15 – $35 per meal
- 1 – 2 times Onsen entry fee when using an onsen outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
How Far In Advance Do I Need To Book?
While we can’t predict exactly when each departure will sell out, tours book out well before the 90-day cut-off. If you’ve got your eye on a specific date, we recommend locking it in early to avoid missing out.
What Happens On Arrival and Departure Day?
Arrival and departure days are your travel days to and from the tour – no snowboarding is planned for these days. Upon booking, you’ll receive our comprehensive tour guide. This essential resource provides a step-by-step breakdown of the arrival and departure process, along with crucial information on flights, meeting points, your gear list, recommended travel times, visa requirements, and transportation logistics.
What If I’m Traveling Solo?
All guests stay in Single Rooms i.e. you have your own private room for the tour. About 99% of our guests are traveling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
How Many People In My Group?
Your tour group will have a maximum of 6 guests.
Which Zones or Resorts Will We Visit?
The Asahikawa Splitboard Tour has a flexible itinerary so you can ride at the best zone on the day. Each day your guide will make the decision on which resort to ride based on a number of factors including weather, snowfall, group ability and interest. The better known locations is Asahidake, but there’s plenty of roadside secret spots that you’ll get to discover when you join us on tour.
Can I Arrive Early or Stay On After The Tour?
Yes, pre or post tour accommodation can be arranged. For guests flying from the US or Europe, we recommend arriving on the Saturday before your tour starts to help with jetlag. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
Are Flights Included?
No, flights are not included, but Mint can provide you with a list of the best flights to book to match up with your tour and arrival or departure times.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, snowsports and emergency repatriation. We also strongly recommend it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. For US citizens, we recommend Spot Insurance https://www.getspot.com/trip-affiliates/mint-tours.
What Happens Once I’ve Booked?
Once you sign up for a tour, you’ve got a dedicated tour manager as your point of contact. They can assist with any pre-trip questions about flights, transfers, insurance or what gear to bring. Your tour manager can also arrange pre or post tour travel to other resorts or cities.
90 days before the tour starts – you will receive a Pre Departure Guide which contains important information to help you prepare for your trip. You will need to complete a digital waiver, participant information form, ability questionnaire and advise your arrival and departure flight details.
On arrival day – your guide will add you to a WhatsApp group which will be used for tour communication throughout the week.
How Do I Check My Ability Level?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour managers. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
How Do I Get To Asahikawa?
Once you’ve booked, you’ll be provided with a guide which contains all the info on how to get to Asahikawa, either by flight or train.
How Do I Check Availability?
Speak with one of our tour managers for the most up to date availability. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
Can I Rent Equipment?
No, you’ll need to bring all your own gear. Once you sign up, we’ll send you a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to bring. Quality rental equipment is hard to come by in Asahikawa, so we strongly recommend arriving with everything you need — your splitboard, touring equipment, and avalanche safety gear.
Gratuities
While tipping is never expected, many guests ask about it — and often choose to leave a gratuity as a way to say thanks. If you feel your guide made your experience extra special, a cash tip at the end of the tour is always appreciated. Gratuities can be given directly to your guide.
Questions or Ready to Book?
We’re here to help. If you’ve got questions or need more info, just get in touch and we’ll talk you through the details. Ready to lock in your spot? Give us a call or send us an email.
📧 [email protected]
📞 +1 503 994 1919
Deposits and Payments
A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days before your tour begins.
Terms & Conditions
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